Kenai

We said goodbye to Kenai today. This was much harder than I expected. She has been a great family member for the last 11+ years, but has not been doing so great this last year. Losing a dog with children present makes for some very interesting questions. We had a nice memorial service for her out in the fog by the kids walnut trees. We will miss her!

Through your child's eyes

Christmas is so much fun seeing it through the eyes of your children. I remember my favorite gift as a child for Christmas was a bike. Rusty has been riding a pink princess bike for some time now, so this Christmas he got his very own boy bike. He didn't squeal or yell like I thought he would, but he had a huge smile the whole time.

This is a pillow Blynn received that her Papa Russ cross-stitched for her.

The Happiest Place on Earth

We went to Disneyland at the beginning of December for Blynn's bday instead of having a party. So much of what we did was girly, much to Rusty's dismay.

This was Rusty's first time riding a rollercoaster and Blynn was fearless. Finally, Todd has someone to ride with. She rode ThunderMountain, the coaster in Toon Town (this was Rusty's first), Matterhorn (which Rusty also rode), and Space Mountain. 3 of these rides I have never rode nor ever will. Rusty did get to meet Lightning McQueen and he pressed his chest to Lightning's headlight so he could see that Rusty was wearing his shirt. Sooo cute!

Cycling

I realize that not all of you are crazy about cycling and some of you think it is terribly boring. But here is a great story about a popular cycling blogger Fat Cyclist. First read this article and then watch the following video:




If you want to see the whole series, it's all right here.

Just a Regular Day

This is how Rusty ended his prayer at lunch today: "Two turtle doves, dashing all the way, Amen."
Today is a regular day for us. We prefer to observe Christmas on Boxing Day. Todd always seems to have Boxing Day off. This is Blynn enjoying some of her cousins Christmas gifts. Notice the Character explosion: 1. Ariel shirt, 2. Disney Princess elbow and knee guards, 3. Batman sunglasses, and 4. Toy Story helmet.

Handmade Christmas

I tried to make the majority of our presents this year. The kids and I made a bunch of these snowman ornaments with their fingerprints and orange glitter.

These superhero capes were for my nephews, but I wished I had made them for everyone. They are so easy to make and very cute.

Aprons for the girls and my nephew that loves to cook.

Then I have two nephews who are obsessed with Alvin and the Chipmunks right now, so I made them sweatshirts.
Good thing I don't have another nephew who also likes Simon, because that would have made for an inappropriate picture: AS*!

And are you ready for my big reveal? This I am most proud of: a purse for my sister. It is reversible so she can wear it two different ways.

I've got to make one for myself soon. Hope you also had some fun projects this Christmas.

Christmas Sunday

Look at those ties.

I could eat these children up.

bulldogs and frogs

Self Indulgence

If I could spend some fun money on myself this Christmas, it would be something from this exhaustive list (brace yourself, it's long and you can click on most of the images to find it):

I love this Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon material in Aquamarine. I would make so many things out of it.

Can you tell I'm slightly obsessed with Matryoshka dolls?

Anything from the Herzensart Journal is fine with me.

Measuring cups. Oh my!

This is wallpaper my friends. We've come so far since the mauve and country blue days.

Sewing patterns

I could do that, couldn't I?

Oh hello, you are the most beautiful computer I've ever seen.

Can you really grow lemon trees indoors? If you can, I'm ready to try.

I'm a sucker for radically refurbished furniture and I love this piece.

I love anything galvanized and wiry (hence Todd)!

Look at these quilt patterns. This is not your Aunt Ethel's quilt. These are so fun and modern.

Also obsessed with birds.

These are just fun.

Did I mention that I'm also obsessed with all things Asian inspired and anything with my children's name on it. This necklace is eye candy to me.



Well, thanks for following with me.

And we didn't even tackle Pottery Barn or Anthropologie.

The two stores I've tried to live in.